News - Bega Merimbula Eden Bermagui Tathra Pambula

More than 200 people participated in a survey of library needs in Merimbula recently.

Bega Valley Shire Council’s cultural services co-ordinator, Penny Amberg, said she was delighted with the response to the survey which was just one process Council was using to gauge the best way to move forward in developing appropriate services.

She said around 90 per cent of respondents were aged over 60 years with a 60/40 response from females/males.

“Obviously, the survey response doesn’t represent the whole range of Merimbula Library members, but is important to gauge users’ views of the library and its services,” she said.

“A significant gap in the survey process is a response from families and young people and alternative processes will be used to get ideas about how to provide services for these groups.

“Another significant area which will be looked at is gaining the views of people who do not regularly use the library.

“Library records show that there are approximately 6,000 registered members in Merimbula, with 2,719 aged over 60 (45 per cent of users) and 3,588 members are 60 years or under.

“Our active membership is 3,287 (defined as members who have borrowed in the last five years) so about 6% of the active membership provided a completed survey.”

Ms Amberg said responses to the survey had revealed:

*  People found staff to be friendly and helpful;

*  There was concern with the state of the current library;

*  The main request was to increase Adult Fiction, followed by Adult Non Fiction, with significant interest in borrowing DVDs and the use of public access computers.

21 per cent preferred an evening opening, with the vast majority preferring Fridays.  

67 per cent of respondents preferred a Saturday morning opening, with 9am to noon or 10am to 1pm being equally preferred.

Most people indicated that they were not interested in E-books and very few expressed interest in Wi Fi or online databases.

“It may be that respondents are not familiar with the exciting developments in this area,” Ms Amberg said.

“One suggestion has been to hold a series of morning teas to introduce the availability of E-services and their possibilities to customers.”

She said there are plans to introduce a new youth and children’s area.

“The Youth Council and local schools will be involved in providing input into the design and operation of this aspect of the library service.

“A new reading area overlooking the lake will be another welcome addition to those who like to read their papers at the library.”

Current plans are to open a new temporary library in the Auswide Projects building in September 2010.